Love Linen

{scroll to the end of the post for a big discount code and a $100 credit giveaway}Do you want to know something I’ve learned in the trenches of motherhood?
Tight clothes make me a bad mom.
I’ve had to eliminate them from my wardrobe entirely.
There I said it.Since becoming a Mom, I’ve developed an aversion to clothes that “hug” my body. With two energetic boys who keep me on my toes all day, it’s important that I feel comfortable–which is why I’m drawn to clothes that “hang” rather than “hug”, clothes that allow me to get down on the floor and build a Lego city, have a paper airplane flying contest and play hopscotch in the backyard.

I once read an Oprah article with advice on how to “be happier everyday”. One tip stood out to me: wear clothes that fit–not clothes that involve unbuttoning our top button when we sit down on the ground to play with our kids. The article went on to encourage us to notice our patience level rise and our irritation level decrease as a result of wearing clothes that weren’t suffocating. I took said advice for a test drive and watched as my tolerance level for hot afternoons at the park increased. I noticed that I didn’t bat an eye when I became a human jungle gym for the third straight hour in a single day. And you know that feeling of suffocation at the end of a long day, that feeling that you can’t get all your clothes off fast enough, anxious to slip into the loosest, most hideous sweatpants from our husbands side of the closet…Yeah, well that feeling went away too.

It was liberating.
But now I had a new challenge: finding better fitted clothing that didn’t make me feel frumpy.
Oh hello, linen.
Have you ever noticed that when you go shopping you tend to gravitate towards the same type of fabrics over and over? Almost as if those pieces are calling out to you from the rack. Pick me. I’m your favorite. You’ll want to wear me everyday. For me, that’s linen–hands down, my favorite fabric and a staple in my mom-uniform. Dress it up, dress it down. Better with each wash. Soft, lightweight and airy. And it’s classic–timeless, in fact–not phased by the continually evolving trends in fashion, linen always has a home in my wardrobe. When I wear linen I feel put together without feeling sloppy.

So when J.Jill reached out and asked me to try out their Love Linen collection, I was all about it. I’ve gotten many of the foundation pieces already in my wardrobe from J.Jill so I was already familiar with the quality of clothing they offer. I knew shopping the new Spring line was going to be fun! Here’s what I grabbed from the Love Linen collection: Easy Linen Printed Cap-Sleeved Dress in a Petite XS, Linen Big Shirt in white and black (also Petite XS). I also grabbed this classic gingham button up that I loooove (not linen, but on mega sale so I couldn’t resist). You guys, this collection is so amazing. I mean it. Like the wear-every-day kind of amazing. Like the have your husband ask, “are you really wearing that shirt again” kind of amazing. And my reply, yes hun…yes I am. The linen big shirt is extra long, which I love because it allows me to tuck in, tie up OR leave untucked. It’s the classic, go-with-everything, everyday white button up.

Also, hello linen cap sleeved dress. Welcome to my church and Spring brunch wardrobe. I feel a bit like I’m channeling Jackie O when I where this comfy little number.

It seems Sawyer approves.

GIVEAWAY & COUPON CODE Leave a comment telling me what your favorite Spring look is and be entered for a chance to win $100 J.Jill gift card. Also, be sure to take advantage of this limited time discount code for 30% OFF one regular priced item. code: BLOGHER Code is valid through May 21, 2014.

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Comments

I totally agree with you about wearing comfortable clothes, but I’ve struggled with the frump factor. You make loose clothing look so chic! I’m inspired! When I think of my favorite spring look, a sun dress comes to mind that can be dressed up or down depending on the choice of accessories, shoes, and sweater/jacket.

My favorite look for spring is wearing bright tops and mixing it up with some neutral bottoms. I love your linen white top with denim. For my look I’d add a bright yellow sweater on top for that pop of color!

I LOVE linen! It has been my Spring/Summer staple for years! One thing I love about it….no ironing, as it just gets wrinkled again! As an “older” mom of toddler boys (twins), I too have struggled with a new “mom’ look. It’s hard to look nice and still be comfortable, without feeling frumpy!

I love knit skirts! They are as comfy as yoga pants, but look so much nicer. I wear them with t-shirts for casual park days, and can dress them with a nicer shirt if I need to. And, my favorite thing about them right now, they still work as a maternity skirt

I’ve never shopped at J.Jill, but with baby #2 due the beginning of May I’m seriously dreaming of being done with my maternity wardrobe and updating my summer clothes with some new mom-body friendly pieces.

I really like your style, Ashley. Can’t say I’ve ever shopped at J.Jill, but after perusing their site, I really love the linen d’Orsay skimmers in that coral color and the eyelet trim boatneck top–so cute! I really like the look of linen until it gets all wrinkly. But that’s unavoidable. Oh well!

You always seem to post the right thing at just the right time! Just last night the whole and I were walking around the mall. I’m constantly trying to find my “Mom” style. I want to be comfy yet put together. I have never shopped at J.Jill but after seeing your darling outfits, I’m going to check it out. Thanks for the inspiration!

That shirt looks amazing on you. I’ve got a bigger chest so loose clothing becomes borderline frumpy for me too often. Because I’m tall I’m able to tuck my shirts in and it polishes the look a little bit more so I’m going through their site ooo-ing and aaah-ing over everything! But I love their V neck floral pullover. It’s so springy for me but warm enough to protect me on those surprise snowy spring days Utah seems to be having too often

I have been feeling the same way regarding clothing. I am have been transitioning my clothing from fitted shirts to more “flowy” tops, etc. I love all of the items you picked out! I will have to check out J Jill as I have never shopped there before.

LOVE your sense of fashion! For me, spring screams khakis, a white (linen!) button-up tee, and a denim jacket. Paired with some coral jewelry and brown sandals with a matching belt, and I’m set for any spring activity, be it heading to a ball game or bein’ a beach bum!

Love that white linen big shirt!!! So many ways to wear it! For me nothing says spring like white and khaki..it’s just clean and crisp and then seersucker after Easter. Oh for the love of seersucker, I’m a Southern girl!!

You look soooooooo cute sweetie. I have always felt that linen, with it’s easy wrinkles, makes me, a women with lots of curves, look frumpy and unkempt. However, I LOVE JJILL CLOTHES AND STYLE. I always pass up their linen in the store but I AM GOING TO TRY SOME ON AND SEE!!! I will let you know. Love you Ash.

I SO agree with your style. I have 2 kids myself and I just can’t wear that hug-fitting clothing anymore. I like my shirts looser but not so loose that it looks too big. You definitely need to have loose fitting clothing on to roll around with your kiddos! Love your outfits by the way.

Wearing clothes that truly fit not only applies to mom but women in general. I like to be comfortable with what I wear. This white linen shirt is beautiful and a must have. I am an Caribbean island girl and linen was and is a staple of my wardrobe. Nothing beats linen in the heat!

It has been a long, hard winter here in Minnesota – I’m so looking forward to wearing something lightweight & floaty, NOT 4,000 layers of the thickest, warmest clothes I can find! It is also always a glorious day when I don’t have to wear socks anymore… unfortunately, many years I just decide I can’t wear any more socks, even if the weather doesn’t agree. Finally, THOSE SHOES that you are wearing with jeans & the adorable white shirt – they are AMAZING. I would be approximately 6’3″ tall if I wore them, but they look so great on you, Ashley!

I’m with you on the linen…love it! Another favorite spring look: Boyfriend jeans rolled up to Capri’s, a thin long sleeve T, and a button down cardigan for cooler evenings….oh and flip flops…break out the flip flops.

My favorite Spring look this year has been flats, skinny cotton pants, and some type of over-sized shirt. I have been wearing button-ups and also slouchy looking tees. It’s fun! I used to feel like my shirts had to be “fitted” in order to not feel like I was in PJs. Now I prefer the look you are showing here. Skinny pants, cute shoes, and a comfy shirt. Love it!

My favorite spring look is black and white!! I don’t know why but I am craving this in stripes, etc. I also have a cute pair of navy and red ballet flats and a white button up shirt that I just love with jeans!! CUTE dress I LOVE it!

My favorite looks for spring are bright florals – whether in a light and airy dress, or a scarf on a chilly spring day (what I’m wearing today) – floral prints make me feel like spring when it’s not quite spring outside. In Michigan the temps are pretending that Spring is here, but it still looks muddy, brown and dead. I am ready for green grass and spring flowers. I am LOVING your white linen shirt – I never thought J. Jill was for my age (early 30’s) but you wear it so well that it’s going on my “Must Have” list for spring. LOVE IT!

J. Jill is the only place I shop for clothes. I’m in there every week, I probably should get a PT job there!, thanks for the coupon code! Is it good in stores too? I’ve got my eye on another linen shirt!!!

Love J. Jill for relaxed clothing too! I am trying to add more color into my darker shades wardrobe, so I am liking the cute colorful cardigans over fitted t-shirts. They work well in chilly classrooms too! I might have to try adding a linen shirt to the mix too.

I love shopping at J. Jill – they have such a great selection of comfortable clothing and I love that they offer petite sizes in stores! My favorite J. Jill item right now is the skinny fit boyfriend cropped jean. So comfortable and perfect for Spring in Iowa!

My favorite spring look is white capris or ankle pants with a flowy pastel top and strappy sandals. Thanks!

Totally agree about the comfortable-clothes-make-you-less-stressed theory. I once had a hole in my sock and was grumpy all day, without knowing why. The second I took that sock off, my mood improved. Hah! Who knew?!
sharonjo at gwtc dot net

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